Original Research Article DERMATOGLYPHICS STUDY … · Original Research Article DERMATOGLYPHICS STUDY IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL ... Recently dermatoglyphic patterns have ... For the

Int J Anat Res 2017, 5(1):3541-46. ISSN 2321-4287 3541

Original Research Article

DERMATOGLYPHICS STUDY IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATIONEsther Yamuna N *1, Dhanalakshmi V 2.

ABSTRACT

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Esther Yamuna N, Assistant Professor, Department Of Anatomy,Govt. Thoothukudi Medical College, Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, India. Mobile: 9442286111E-Mail: [email protected]

Background: Mental retardation means persistently slow learning of basic motor and language skills duringchildhood and a below normal global intellectual capacity as an adult. Recently dermatoglyphic patterns havebeen utilized as a diagnostic tool in various disorders like mental retardation, diabetes mellitus, schizophreniaetc. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the dermatoglyphic features in mental retarded children.Materials and Methods: The case control study was carried out in 100 mental retarded children and 200 childrenwithout mental retardation in the age group between 7 to 15 years. Comparison between the frequencies of fingerprint pattern of fingers and palms were made out on the basis of two groups in the time employing Chi- Squaretest.Result: The dermatoglyphic finding observed in the present study in the mentally retarded children were highfrequency of loop and arch patterns and a lower frequency of whorls. Palmar pattern frequency, loops in thethird interdigital area, a higher total finger ridge count and absolute finger ridge count, a higher a-b ridge count,higher atd angle, a lower mainline index and increased frequency of simian crease and Sydney lines.Conclusion: Dermatoglyphic markers can be used as a screening tool in early detection of mental retardation.KEY WORDS: Dematoglyphics, Mental retardation, Loop, Finger print, Finger tip, Pattern.

INTRODUCTION

International Journal of Anatomy and Research,Int J Anat Res 2017, Vol 5(1):3541-46. ISSN 2321-4287

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.108

Access this Article online

Quick Response code Web site: International Journal of Anatomy and ResearchISSN 2321-4287

www.ijmhr.org/ijar.htm

DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2017.108

*1 Assistant Professor, Department Of Anatomy, Govt. Thoothukudi Medical College, Thoothukudi,Tamilnadu, India.2 Associate Professor, Department Of Anatomy, Govt. Thoothukudi Medical College, Thoothukudi,Tamilnadu, India.

Received: 09 Jan 2017Peer Review: 10 Jan 2017Revised: None

Accepted: 13 Feb 2017Published (O): 28 Feb 2017Published (P): 28 Feb 2017

of the dermatoglyphics is that the epidermalridge pattern on the hand and sole are fullydeveloped at birth and remain unchangedthroughout the lifetime of an individual andrecording of their permanent impression can beaccomplished rapidly, inexpensively andwithout any trauma to the patient[1].Since there are definitive dermatoglyphicpatterns established very early in life and ratherat birth, it will be worthwhile to study thedermatoglyphic patterns of the children with

Dermatoglyphics deals with the study of epider-mal ridges and their configurations on thefingers, palm and sole. The word ‘Dermatoglyph-ics” is derived from Greek word “Derma”meaning Skin and “Glyphic” meaning Carvings.The term dermatoglyphics was first coined byCummin and Midlo in 1926. Each individual ridgeconfigurations are unique and has been usedfor personal identification. The major advantage


Esther Yamuna N, Dhanalakshmi V. DERMATOGLYPHICS STUDY IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION.

definite features of mentally challenged childrenwith those of the healthy children. The geneticmessage contained in the genome - normal orabnormal is deciphered during the intrauterineperiod and is also reflected by dermatoglyph-ics.Mental retardation(MR) is a common disorderwhich imposes medical, psychological andsocial burden. The incidence of mental retarda-tion with an intelligence quotient below 70 isfound to be 2-3% worldwide. About 4 per 1000of general population are more severely handi-capped with an I.Q below 50. Mental retarda-tion means mental illness arrested or incom-plete development of mind. It is a condition ofsub average intellectual function combined withdeficits in adaptive behavior. MR result fromdefect in structure and function of neuronal syn-apse[2]. Chromosomal aberration accounts forabout 15% of mentally retarded individuals. Theetiologic factors contributing to human devel-opmental problems may be prenatal, perinataland postnatal. There may be environmental,psychological, sociocultural and genetic riskfactors.Taking into consideration the genetic predispo-sition of dermatoglyphics and mental retarda-tion, the present study was undertaken to evalu-ate the dermatoglyphics features and note anyspecific variations or diagnostic feature in men-tally retarded children.

This case control study was done in 300children, out of which 200 children who did notexhibit any mental deficiency were used ascontrol and 100 mentally challenged childrenwere included as cases after random selectionfrom a private school for mentally challengedchildren in Nagercoil, Tamilnadu, India.After getting approval from Institutional HumanEthical Committee, Sree Mookambika Instituteof Medical Sciences, Kulaseharum, the studywas further carried out by getting informed con-sent from the parents of the children who wererecruited in this study.For the dermatoglyphic study Ink method ofPurvis- Smith(1969) was followed to record thefinger and palm prints[3,4]. Children were di-rected to wash their hands with soap and water

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

and wipe them dry with a towel. A small amountof printer’s ink was applied on the inking slaband spread with a roller to a thin even film. Thehand was pressed firmly against the slab. Thesmeared palm and fingers of both hands werethen kept on the white bond paper with firm pres-sure on the dorsum of hand and interdigital area.The dermatoglyphic patterns were thus recordedand the following parameters were studied.1. Qualitative analysis of finger tip patterns –whorls, loops and arches.2. Quantitative analysis of finger prints- totalfinger ridge count(TFRC) and the absolute fin-ger ridge count(AFRC)3. Palmar pattern4. a-b ridge count5. atd angle6. Mainline index7. Sydney line and simian lineThe dermatoglyphic patterns on right and lefthand were analyzed according to sex and weresubjected to statistical test to evaluate signifi-cant pattern. Chi-Square test was used to de-termine the distribution of the parametersamong the two groups. This test was used todetermine the comparisons between the healthyand mentally challenged children.

MATERIALS AND METHODSOn observing the finger tip patterns of the righthand of mentally retarded children, arches weremore in the 1st, 3rd and 5th digits whereas 2nd

and 4th digit had more loops compared to thecontrols who had more whorls in the 1st, 2nd, 4th

and 5th digits and more loops in the 3rd digits[Table 1].On observing the fingertip patterns of left handof mentally retarded children, arches were morecommon in 1st, 3rd, and 4th digits whereas 2nd and5th digit had more loops compared to the con-trol who had more arches in the 2nd digit, moreloops in the 1st, 3rd, 4th digit and more whorls inthe 2nd & 5th digit [Table 2][ Fig. 1].Palmar pattern frequency in the interdigital area(D3) of right hand showed significant associa-tion (0.001). It was observed that mentallyretarded children had more arches (10%) loops(24%) and whorls(10%), when compared with



Table 1: Percentage distribution of Fingertip pattern frequency in mentally retardedchildren and controls – right hand.

Finger Tip PatternMentally

Retarded (100)Control

(200)Total Chi2- Value Significance

Arch 40 (40.0%) 14 (7.0%) 54 (18.0%)Loop 50 (50.0%) 107 (53.5%) 157 (52.3%)

Whorl 10 (10.0%) 79 (39.5%) 89 (29.7%)Arch 14{14.0%) 7{3.5%) 21(7.0%)

Loop (ulnar) 83(83.0%) 112(56.0%) 195(65.0%)Whorl 3(3.0%) 81(40.5%) 84(28.0%0Arch 44(44.0%) 13(6.5%) 57(19.0%)

Loop 46(46.0%) 121(60.5%) 167(55.7)

Whorl 10(10.0%) 66(33.0%) 76(25.3%)Arch 33(33.0%) 29(14.5%) 62(20.7%)Loop 54(54.0%) 106(53.0%) 160(53.3%)

Whorl 13(13.0%) 65(32.5%) 78(26.0%)Arch 11(11.0%) 14(7.0%) 25(8.3%)Loop 83(83.0%) 132(66.0%) 215(71.7%)

Whorl 6(6.0%) 54(27.0%) 60(20.0%)V 18.67 0.001

I 60.04 0.001

II 51.46 0.001

III 65.78 0.001

IV 20.8 0.001

Table 2: Percentage distribution of Finger tippattern frequency in mentally retardedchildren and controls – left hand.

Finger Tip PatternMentally

Retarded (100)Control (200) Total Chi2- Value Significance

Arch 39(39.0) 18(9.0%) 57(19.0%)Loop 44(44.0%) 123(61.5%) 167(55.7%)

Whorl 17(17.0%) 59(29.5%) 76(25.3%)Arch 20(20.0%) 8(4.0%) 28(9.3%)Loop 70(70.0%) 115(57.5%) 185(61.7%)

Whorl 10(10.0%) 77(38.5%) 87(29.0%)Arch 31(31.0%) 13(6.5%) 44(14.7%)Loop 57(57.0%) 116(58.0%) 173(57.7%)

Whorl 12(12.0%) 71(35.5%) 83(27.7%)Arch 21(21.0%) 22(11.0%) 43(14.3%)Loop 59(59.0%) 125(62.5%) 184(61.3%)

Whorl 20(20.0%) 53(26.5%) 73(24.3%)Arch 10(10.0%) 16(8.0%) 26(8.7%)Loop 80(80.0%) 130(65.0%) 210(70.0%)

Whorl 10(10.0%) 54(27.0%) 64(21.3%)

39.35 0.001

38.64 0.001

III 40.6 0.001

I

II

IV 5.942 0.051

V 11.48 0.003

Table 3: Palmar pattern frequency inmentally retarded children and control- righthand.

Interdigital areas

PatternMentally

Retarded(100)Control(200) Total Chi2- Value Significance

Arch 0 (0.0%) 4 (2.0%) 4 (1.3%)Loop 15 (15.0%) 21 (10.5%) 36 (12.0%)

Whorl 3 (3.0%) 4 (2.0%) 7 (2.3%)None 82 (82.0%) 171 (85.5%) 253 (84.3%)Arch 10(10.0%) 4(2.0%) 14(4.7%)Loop 24(24.0%) 16(8.0%) 40(13.3%)

Whorl 10(10.0%) 3(1.5%) 13(4.3%)None 56(56.0%) 177(88.5%) 233(77.7%)Arch 0(0%) 3(1.5%) 3(1.0%)Loop 19(19.0%) 15(7.5%) 34(11.3%)

Whorl 2(2.0%) 4(2.0%) 6(2.0%)None 79(79.0%) 178(89.0%) 257(85.7%)Arch 0(0%) 3(1.5%) 3(1.o%)Loop 8(8.0%) 11(5.5%) 19(6.3%)

Whorl 4(4.0%) 5(2.5%) 9(3.0%)None 88(88.0%) 181(90.5%) 269(89.7%)

Hypothenar 0.439

D2 3.508

42.125

10.058

0.32

D3 0.001

D4 0.018

2.704

Fig.1: Right hand palm print of a Mentally retarded child havingulnar loops in the first, second, third and fifth digits(Lu). atd anglet” > 56. Palmar pattern (loop) frequency mainly in the thirdinterdigital area.



Table 4: Palmar patternfrequency in mentallyretarded children and

control – Left Hand.

Interdigital areas

PatternMentally Retarded

Control Total Chi2- Value Significance

Arch 1(1.0%) 9(4.5%) 10(3.3%)Loop 16(16.0%) 23(11.5%) 39(13.0%)

Whorl 5(5.0%) 11(5.5%) 16(5.3%)None 78(78.0%) 157(78.5%) 235(78.3%)Arch 7(7.0%) 1(0.5%) 8(2.7%)Loop 27(27.0%) 12(6.0%) 39(13.0%)

Whorl 9(9.0%) 10(5.0%) 19(6.3%)None 57(57.0%) 177(88.5%) 234(78.0%)Arch 1(1.0%) 5(2.5%) 6(2.0%)Loop 11(11.0%) 15(7.5%) 26(8.7%)

Whorl 5(5.0%) 6(3.0%) 11(3.7%)None 83(83.0%) 174(87.0%) 257(85.7%)Arch 0(0%) 5(2.5%) 5(1.7%)Loop 7(7.0%) 15(7.5%) 22(7.3%)

Whorl 7(7.0%) 9(4.5%) 16(5.3%)None 86(86.0%) 171(85.5%) 257(85.7%)

3.522 0.318

D3 43.343 0.001

D4 0.467

Hypothenar 0.347

D2

2.544

3.306

those of controls. But in D2,D4 and hypothenarareas significant differences were observed[Table 3].Palmar pattern frequency in the interdigital area(D3) of left hand showed significant association(0.001). It was observed that mentally retardedchildren had more arches (7%) loops (27%) andwhorls(9%), when compared with those ofcontrols. But in D2, D4 and hypothenar areassignificant differences were observed [Table 4].The TFRC(Total finger ridge count) was foundto be higher in right hand of MR children withthe mean and Standard deviation of 73.94+13.20and in control it was 70.24+14.05. On observ-ing, the AFRC (Absolute finger ridge count) wassignificant in the MR group with mean + stan-dard deviation values of 94.42+19.25 comparedto the control with value of 81.72+19.79 in righthand. The a-b ridge count was statistically sig-nificant with mean + standard deviation valuein MR children was 25.63+5.87 and in controlwas 15.17+4.17 in the right hand.The TFRC was found to be higher in left hand ofMR children with the mean and Standard devia-tion of 87.24+13.89 and in control it was69.83+13.18. On observing the AFRC, it wassignificant in the MR group with mean + stan-dard deviation values of 107.34+19.38 comparedto the control with value of 83.57+20.07 in theleft hand. A significant difference was observedbetween mentally retarded children and controlsof left hand in their a-b ridge count.

MR children had a significantly highest value25.23+5.13 whereas controls had lower value14.68+3.40.A significant difference was observed in the rightand left hands of MR children and control in theiratd angle, with the mean and standard devia-tion of 80.31+3.99 and 76.61+7.509 respectivelyin the MR children and 39.46+4.37 and39.56+4.39 respectively in the control group.[Fig. 2]

Fig. 2: Palm print of a Mentally retarded child showingsimian crease and ulnar loops in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th digitsand increased atd angle.

Mainline index was found to be lower in the rightand left hand of mentally retarded children withmean and standard deviation of 14.86+2.87 and16.44+3.80 respectively where as controls werefound to have higher mean and standard devia-tion of 26.22+3.91 and 28.31+3.80 respectively.Abnormal palmar crease type (Sydney line and


simian crease) were found in 43% in MR chil-dren and was absent in control group in bothhands. [Fig.3]Fig. 3: Palm print of a Mentally retarded child showingsimian crease.

This is similar to the observations of SaxenaMathur [12] but lower values were reported byAlter and Bruhl [10] and Sontakke BR et al [13].A statistically significant increase in mean valueof atd angle in mentally retarded children of bothsexes were observed in our study. Similar find-ings were reported by Vashist yadav [14], Alteret al [10], and Kim Dk et al [11]. a-b ridge countis statistically higher in mentally retarded chil-dren than in controls but decreased a-b ridgecount was reported by Rosa A et al [15], ShionoH et al [16] and Sontakke BR et al [13].Regarding the mainline index, mentally retardedchildren of both sexes of the present studyshowed lower values than those of controlchildren. Similar findings were noticed byPurandare et al [17]. Since the mainline indexreflects the ridge direction, a high value indi-cates a tendency for the palmar ridge directionto be horizontal [18].An increased tendency towards palmar creasessuch as single transverse palmar crease (sim-ian crease) and Sydney line were seen in MRchildren [10, 19, 20, and 21]. Plato et al reportedincreased frequencies of Sydney lines in Down’ssyndrome [22].

DISCUSSION

The study of various dermatoglyphic featuresand its evaluation has been of value in screen-ing variety of disorder which could be eitherchromosomal or genetic. The selection of casesfor evaluation is of importance. It is necessaryto conduct all findings based on sex and side.In the fingerprint pattern, there was an elevatedfrequency of ulnar loops noticed in MR groupthan any other finger tip pattern. The elevatedfrequency of loop associated with decrease ofwhorls which is also similar to the observationmade out by Holt [5] and Shiono et al [6]. Amarked increase in the ulnar loop on the finger-tips is virtually a constant feature of thedermatoglyphics in Down’s syndrome. Someauthors found no significant sex difference inthe frequency of fingertip patterns betweenmales and females with Down’s syndrome [7, 8,9, and 10]In this study, maximum frequency of palmar pat-terns in the mentally retarded children were seenin the third interdigital area and minimum pat-tern in hypothenar area which was a very sig-nificant finding. The increased ulnar loop in thethird interdigital area was also reported by KimDK et al [11].Total finger ridge count and absolute finger ridgecount were found to be significantly higher inthe mentally retarded children than in control.

CONCLUSION

With these inexpensive and noninvasive screen-ing procedures the doubtful cases such aspreschool children with lack of abilities toperform skills, school age group with lack oflearning ability and older children with inabilityto lead an independent life can be spotted outand trained adequately.

MR- Mental RetardationD2- 2nd interdigital areaD3- 3rd interdigital areaD4- 4th interdigital areaAFRC- Absolute Finger Ridge CountTFRC- Total Finger Ridge Count

ABBREVIATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I express my sincere thanks towardsDr.Kunjumon.M.S, Professor and HOD of anato-my at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical



Conflicts of Interests: None

REFERENCES

Sciences (SMIMS) Kulasekharum who encour-aged me to do this study.

[1]. Cummins H, and Midlo. Palmar and Plantar epider-mal ridge configurations. Am.J.Psy.Anthrp.1926sep;471-502.

[2]. Chechlacz M, Gleeson JG. Is Mental retardation adefect of synapse of structure and function. Paediatr.Neurol 2003;29(1)p.11-17.

[3]. Purvis Smith,S.G. Finger and palm printing technique for the clinician.Med. J.Aust. 1969 Jul26;2(4):189-91.

[4]. Purvis Smith SG. The Sydney line, a significant signin Down syndrome.Aust. PaeditrJ.1972Aug;8(4):198-200.

[5]. Holt SB.Fingerprint patterns in Mongolism. Ann.Hum.Genet.1964Mar;27:279-82.

[6]. Shiano H, Kadowaki J, and Kasakara S. Dermatoglyph-ics of Down syndrome in Japan. TohokuJ.Exp.Med.1969oct; 99(2):107-13.

[7]. Walker NF. The use of dermal configurations in thediagnosis of Mongolism.J.Pediatr.1957Jan;50(1):19-26.

[8]. Smith GF, BatMartin M and Ridler MAC. Dermal pat-tern on the fingersandtoeinMongolism. J.Ment.Defic.Res.1966Jun;10(2):105-15.

[9]. Saksena PN,Bajpai PC and Dube SK. Evaluation ofDermatoglyphics in Mongolism. IndianJPediatr1966Sep;33(224):293-7.

[10]. AlterM, BruhelH. Dermatoglyphics in idiopathicMental retardation, American Journal of disease inchildren. 1966;113:702-06.

[11].K im DK,Choi J,Yank KC,Kang PS,ChangSK.Charactericticsof Dermatoglyphics in patientswith Mental retardation. Korean J Phys Anthropol2002;15(1):36-46.

[12]. Saxena PN, Mathur PP. Evaluation of Dermatoglyph-ics in Mental deficiency.IndJ Paediatr1972;9:627-8.

[13]. Sontakke BR, Ghosh SK, Pal Ak. Dermatoglyphics offingers and palm in Klinfelter,s syndrome. NepalMed CollJ 2010;12(13):142-44.

[14]. Vashist M, yadar R, Neelkamal Kumar A. Axial trira-dius as a preliminary diagnostic tool in patients ofmental retardation. Int J Biol Anthropol 2010;4(1).

[15]. Rosa A, Gutierre A, Guerra B, Aria S, Fananas L. Der-matoglyphics and abnormal palmar flexion creasesas markers of early prenatal stress in children withidiopathic intellectual disability. J Intellec DisabiliResear 2001;45950:416-23.

[16]. Shiono H, Kadowaki J. The palmar a-b ridge count inJapanese: Normal population Down syndrome andKlinfelter syndrome. Wayne state University Press.Hum BIO. 1971;43(2): 288-94.

[17]. Purandare H, Atre PR and Vare AM. Dermatoglyphicfeatures in Mentally Retarded CHILDREN. Anat. Sociof India 1978;27:3.

[18]. Cummins H. Dermatoglyphic Stigmata in Mongo-lian Idiacy. Anat Rec 1936;64:11.

[19]. Sharma MK, Jhawar P, Sharma S, KalawathiI. Der-matoglyphic an attempt to predict Down syndrome.Int J Biol Med Res 2012;3(2):1931-35.

[20]. Saadat M, Mehdipour P. Correlation between I.Qand Dermatoglyphic indices of Down syndrome pa-tients. Derm Online J 2006;12(6):25.

[21]. Chen Harold. The Simian Line. Medical Journal Sep.2011;2(9):134-39.

[22]. Plato CC, Cereghino J, Steinberg FS. Palmar der-matoglyphics of Down’s syndrome. Pediatr. Res.1973 Mar;7(3):111-8.

How to cite this article:Esther Yamuna N, Dhanalakshmi V. DERMATOGLYPHICS STUDYIN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION. Int J Anat Res2017;5(1):3541-3546. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2017.108


Documents

Original Research Article DERMATOGLYPHICS STUDY … · Original Research Article DERMATOGLYPHICS STUDY IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL ... Recently dermatoglyphic patterns have ... For the